FINAL DECISION: This was an enjoyable story and one that was well balanced in the relationship between the three characters. Both the connection between them in pairs and as a menage worked here.

THE STORY: Running back Tom Kelly wants a committed three way relationship (and there are several in the Birmingham Rebels organization). Carmina de la Cruz is the woman Tom would like to have as part of the relationship. Carmina is an Army vet trying to recover from a tour in Afghanistan that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Tom's interest helps Carmina feel desired again, but she also has an interest in Tom's teammate and friend Danny Smith. Danny knows that the Rebels have a certain reputation, but he has no interest in pursuing a threesome relationship after being burned before. But Tom and Carmina are awfully tempting.

OPINION: This was an interesting story and not just an erotic sex fest. Tom, Carmina and Danny are three different people -- each with a different issue to work out. Of the three, Tom is the one who is the most well adjusted and is the hinge that makes the relationship work. He is the youngest of the three and has just discovered his bisexuality and has been enjoying exploring his sexuality.

Danny is a man who has been haunted by his actions in relation to his friend and allowing his own career to take precedence over an attempted sexual assault upon her. He believes himself unworthy of happiness and thinks about revenge instead. He is also a man who is struggling against his potential bisexuality. He has a darker past and struggles more against the menage relationship.

Carmina is a strong woman who is struggling against both her physical and emotional injuries. Her inability to find sexual satisfaction after her accident is part of the catalyst for the relationship.

I liked how these three work through their issues and also need to figure out if and how a relationship can work between them. It's nice that they don't take it for granted that things will work out between them. There are also issues of jealousy and uncertainty that are raised which seem natural.

I also really enjoyed that this book came full circle from the first in the series by resolving the lingering issues and helping close Danny's issues surrounding the events. I'm not sure whether there will be other books in the series, but this book could be a nice concluding story.

WORTH MENTIONING: This is a menage story featuring three people working toward a long term relationship.

CONNECTED BOOKS: MISCONDUCT is the fourth book in the Birmingham Rebels series. This book can be read as a standalone but it is connected with BROKEN PLAY and tells a connecting story to the heroine's past there.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a review or write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
4 Steamy stars.

I haven't read Samantha Kane for the better part of a decade, only having read the first in the Brothers in Arms series. I decided to read this on a whim, even knowing it's the fourth in a series. While I did struggle during the first few chapters, due to name-dropping and rehashing previous plot points, once I got a feel for the characters, I was able to read Misconduct as a standalone. However, I will be going back to the first of the series and reading onward, and I suggest doing the same. While it wasn't difficult as a standalone, I do believe the emotional punch would be stronger if read as a series instead.

Carmina, I related with the woman. She is a very deep character, suffering from trauma via IED, with only Sam and her surviving the attack. She's grieving the loss of her fellow soldiers, making strides during therapy, all the while silently mourning the loss of a potential partner. The insecurity, the feeling of her body not functioning as it should, leaves her feeling less than sexy, to the point it's impossible to climax. Carmina is sweet, strong, and caring, a good friend and a giving lover/partner.

Tom is the boy-next-door, who I assume in previous books looks a bit like a player/cad/tomcat. The bisexual man from the Midwest is exploring his newfound nature with great zeal. He's a sweetie, caring and giving, exactly the softer nature Carmina needs at first. But he's young, just now coming into his confidence.

Danny has issues, which I assume were explored in previous titles in the series. This book hits on the highlights, so it was without confusion, however it made for less of an emotional punch. More of a retelling vs an in-the-now emotional response. He's a strong character, just like Carmina, but he gets in his own way.

Without giving away plot points, the three of them come together, while unconventional, it works for all of them, drawing out what was always beneath the surface. Tom gains a rush of confidence, finally developing into the strong man he was always meant to become. He's the rock, the connector of the triad. The solid, stable one whose worth is tied to giving, taking care of those he loves, and being in control. Tom is the partner, best friend, and lover both Danny and Carmina need.

Misconduct was the perfect escape from everyday life, giving a few stolen hours of steaminess, while opening the eyes of the reader to new experiences and ways of life. Nothing felt forced or instantaneous (other than lust), the evolution fluid, humorous, and sensual. While this is most certainly erotic material, there is definitely a lot of emotions and character development on the pages.

After struggling in the beginning, I'm glad I continued on, and I look forward to starting the series from the beginning, seeing the evolution and journey of these characters and those who were name-dropped.

Highly recommend for fans of ménage.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
This book takes Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and its associated issues and puts it front and center of this story. Don’t get me wrong, the romance is to die for, but the story within the story is what sets this book apart.

Carmina just wants to be normal, or as normal as she can be. Her TBI affects her speech as well as emotions. Luckily, she has a service dog that senses when she becomes overwhelmed. What she wants more than anything is have someone, someone to lean on, to be a part of something larger than herself.

Carmina likes Tom, he’s sweet and kind. Danny, on the other hand, is strong and a bit aloof. Tom wants Carmina, she sees him for him not just the football player and current man about town. Tom also wants Danny but he knows that with Danny’s issues, that is one man he may never have.

Danny is conflicted. How can he want something so much yet be repulsed at the same time? He wants the domination, the feeling of helplessness that being restrained would give him, but all he sees is the image of his best friend being assaulted.

Carmina, Tom, and Danny must trust each other to build a life that their issues can’t overcome.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

Carmina’s story was everything I’d hoped for. After surviving a traumatic brain injury in Afghanistan, the Army vet is struggling with PTSD and slowly regaining her speech. In book three, she was Sam’s Army friend but here she makes a fabulous leading lady. As with all the lucky ladies in this series, Carmina has two professional football players eager to help her get her confidence back.

Danny and Tom aren’t quite as interesting as Carmina. This series has a formula and by the fourth book it is pretty set. Danny and Tom are teammates and best friends but both would secretly like more. Danny is bi-curious but a bit nervous, Tom is more adventurous but afraid of scaring off his best friend. It may be a formula but it works and the chemistry between these three is very hot.

This isn’t a complicated story but it is very sexy and the characters are engaging and likeable. These three add a little bit of kink into their play, which is also fun. This story is probably more erotica than romance but it is well written and I did enjoy watching Carmina regain her confidence and Danny become comfortable with his sexuality.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars of sinful sexiness!

This is the fourth book in the series, and I would highly recommend that you read them in order. This installment has a number of references to previous events which have an impact on the storyline. That said, this is a cracking read in its own right.

The Rebels are a team where non-standard relationships are the norm. This makes for some loosening of the usual boundaries, but doesn't mean that normal is frowned upon either. Danny is a man who kept quiet about something and has felt guilty ever since. He is also a man who discovered that he liked being held down by another man whilst with a woman. Neither of these things sit right with him, and for me, the resolution of these issues was a huge part of the story. Sure, Carmen is fighting to regain herself after her brain injury, but she is much more attuned with herself and her desires than Danny is. Tom, on the other hand, is very clear about what he wants and will do anything to achieve it...

I loved every bit of this book – it had a really good element of sport in it and the issues that the players face in one game in particular. It reminds us of previous relationships and how they continue to thrive, and it gives us three individuals who together can be more for each other than apart.

Thank you, Ms. Kane.

Misconduct is book four in the Birmingham Rebels saga by Samantha Kane.  I have read this series from the beginning and loved every book! These guys are a wild bunch of football madness and their sexcapades are just as crazy!

Danny was first introduced in book one as Coach Marion's best friends. Deep scars run from something that happened in his youth. Now he is rooming with Tom, who's also a fellow Rebel football player, and best friend. He knows Tom would like more than friendship but he keeps his guard up. Plus he's sweet on Carmina, but he chooses to leave that alone too. Carmina has her own problems to conquer and she doesn't need to deal with his baggage as well as her own.

Carmina suffered a head injury while serving in Afghanistan.  She moved to Birmingham to be close to her best friend, Sam, who served with her and plays ball for the Rebels. Though no real physical wounds to see, she suffers from PTSD, gets overwhelmed easily, and frequently mixes up her words.  She noticed Danny and Tom and she sees an attraction.  Can she really be attracted to both men?

Tom is bisexual and is having a bit of a hard time.  He really just wants to settle down in a relationship.  He's fallen for Danny, but doesn't broach the subject with him. He's also drawn to Carmina, He's also seen Danny looking at her too?  Maybe he could somehow bring them all together??

I really liked Tom.  Both Danny and Carmina have some serious issues to work through.  It seems Tom was the one that could help heal them.  He truly cares for them and just somehow is the right one there to help. He's a super guy, and seems to be very patient too.

This book is one that is much more in depth than others in terms of working through tough issues. They are real and palatable.  I felt so bad that these two had endured the kinds of pain they did. Then they are still carrying around their version of it ever since. Plus we get the pressure of playing football and some drama that could have serious impact on what they have started.

Above all, Tom ended up being the beacon that both Danny and Carmina needs to move on.  They needed to confront their guilt and anger and allow themselves to actually live. Tom guides them through the fog.  Plus the threesomes are sizzling!!  Talk about melt your kindle! Woo hoo!

Have fun with this one! Let's see which Rebel Samantha Kane writes about next!!

reviewed by Deb

WWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?????????

Why can I not find a MMF that makes me dance a Cajun rhythm? It seems like I used to be able to but lately it's been one dud after another. Maybe MM has ruined MMF for me? I wish I knew what the deal was but I don't like it.



I really didn't hate this book but I can't condone some of the sentiments perpetuated by it, thus the 1 heart rating. So let's get those out of the way first.

I've heard about Samantha Kane and her MMF books for years but this was my first experience reading one. I thought for sure it'd be good and was SO excited to read it. I mean, I knew I was going to have to suspend reality since approximately a fourth of this NFL team in the deep South is bisexual and in polyamorous relationships and they all work together, but I was prepared with my goggles and glitter. Because girl scout. However, what I wasn't prepared for was the misrepresentation of bisexuality, or more specifically, erasing the line between bisexuality and polyamory and making them synonymous.

Tom stopped halfway to the table with his plate in hand. "I didn't think about that," he said slowly. "She knows I like guys, too." [...]
"Knowing you like guys and letting you screw them while you're supposed to be with her is another thing entirely," Danny told him. "Be careful, man. You're entering dangerous territory."
Tom sat back with a disgruntled sigh and ran his hands through his hair. "I don't want to give up guys or girls," he said. "What am I supposed to do?"


I know it's supposed to be a ménage romance but is it necessary to depict bisexuals as greedy? There were some things that Carmina said and did that were in this same vein or in the vein of being lesbian phobic that rubbed me the wrong way too.

As if that wasn't shocking enough from an experienced MMF writer, I was ill prepared for the sanctioning of rape.

"...You were into it. I wasn't holding you down that hard, Danny. You could have gotten away. If you had said no and meant it, I would have stopped. Hell, you were begging for it."

"His mouth said no, his dick said yes," Tom said with a shrug. "I listened to his dick."



In 2017? Seriously? I literally cannot believe this is still a thing. If Danny had been Daniela in this scenario this would never have happened. Then Tom took it one step further and brought out the big manipulative guns and Danny eventually tows the I was into it line. Again, I get that this is a ménage storyline but this could've been handled waaaaaaaaayyyy differently.

My last major grievance was Danny's depiction as an angry black man when his actions didn't match that depiction. He's distant and maybe not warm and fuzzy but angry? I didn't see that. I *think* the objective was to contrast "the angry player" in and out of the locker room whose submissive in the bedroom. The idea though trite is solid but the carpet needs to match the drapes otherwise it looks hella racist.

As far as these characters are concerned, I just couldn't with them. I have a tendency to look at behaviors as a conduit for connecting with characters. If I can understand or identify with their actions, things sync up like they're supposed to but this conduit felt more like shock treatment.

Things started off well enough with Carmina. She's ex-military with a TBI and can't orgasm. For 3 yrs! She's kind of frantic at this point and grasping at straws, willing to try anything. Makes sense, right? She's been crushing on Tom and Danny who are best friends, but Danny's got it in his head that he's not ready to make a commitment so Tom it is. They have sex, she doesn't come so he decides to up the ante which equates to public sex? You don't maybe want to try different positions first?



Guess what happens. Fail 2.0

Then... *smh* I... alright, hypothetical situation, say you're casually dating someone, your shower breaks, said person says come on over and use mine. You do. Said person says use my roommate's shower because they're asleep and I'm going back to bed. While in the shower said roommate comes into the bathroom, you lock eyes and go directly to Pound Town without passing 'go' or collecting $200? Show of hands for this being a thing.

Call me judgey. But that shit is weird to me.

Carmina finds The Big O in that short trip to Pound Town and this THIS is what garners all the attention. Not the fact that Tom's best friend and his sort of girlfriend went to Pound Town while he was taking a disco nap!



The next rabbit to get pulled out of the hat are some kinky D/s games that don't even merit mentioning. Tom has no clue what he's doing and no business calling himself a dom period. Case in point, Carmina immediately gets a safe word whereas Danny well... see above quotes if you have any doubts. I need more than someone bossing someone else around and bossed person using the word "owned" often to be interested in or titillated by some quasi kinky shenanigans. To add insult to injury, the sex wasn't even that hot!

Overall the relationship between these three wasn't all that satisfying not just because of the above reasons, but Danny's reluctance to get involved dragged on and on and, honestly, he came across as being willfully obtuse by comparing his desires to what happened to Marian; that just read like a lazy plot device. There was very little page time with them as a throuple which I found frustrating. If more time had been focused on them working through their issues and developing as a functioning unit I probably would've invested in them but as it stands the resolution seemed rushed and their commitment disingenuous.

The story is easy to read and the football stuff was good, though that game with the Rough Riders was a bit OTT. It'd be an understatement to say that I'm disappointed by this read. I may try something else of Kane's in the future because her writing style is pleasant and maybe this was just a fluke. Nevertheless, I can't recommend this but I'd encourage anyone considering it to read the other reviews before making a final decision.





An ARC was provided by NetGalley.

3.5 stars -- I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

*heavy sigh*  So, I enjoyed this book.  I enjoyed it more than the previous book in the series (and I've only read books 3 and 4, not the first 2).  I came out at the end of it entertained, I thought the character development was pretty good, and I thought the steamy scenes were deliciously...well...steamy.  I even initially pegged this one as a 4 star for me.  And I'm going to round up, b/c I'm trying to keep true to *my* personal feelings at the end of it.

I thought all the characters had something to offer, and I particularly liked the goofiness and just, well, like-ability of Tom.  Like seriously, I really loved him, and his humour, and he was just so adorable.  And I loved the way he pushed both Danny and Carmina, recognizing what he wanted was a relationship with both of them (all three of them together), and after recognizing interest from both of them, I enjoyed how he pushed them out of their comfort zones to get them to that place together.

I thought Carmina's storyline was interesting, particularly since I didn't see her past with Richie coming.  I had been looking forward to learning more about her brain injury, b/c she fascinated me in the previous book, and I was a bit bummed that besides putting herself down about it, we didn't really get as much out of that as I'd wanted.  But I did like seeing her grow more confident, and I appreciated a glimpse into some of the challenges that she faces (particularly in trying to reenter the workforce, and dealing with well-meaning friends/family).

I thought Danny was probably the one I learned the least about, and probably had a few reservations about.  He came across kind of homophobic (even though he ended up being bisexual), and while I understood his hangups about his sexual preferences in light of his past with Marian, I still had a hard time with it...I always have a hard time reading about characters that feel ashamed of what they like, even though I think it's a valid storyline b/c I'm sure many people go through this.  I'm not sure how much I liked the scene between Tom and Danny in the hotel room, particularly consent-wise, but I let it pass...and I'm not sure what that says about me.

And here's where the sigh comes in.  I decided to glance at other reviews of the book.  And I realized that, as a white woman, I didn't see a lot of things surrounding the race of Danny and Carmina that others might.  I subscribe to the philosophy that everyone's a little bit racist, and I was bummed that I had yet again failed to see the far reaching consequences of some of the elements in the story.  Also, while I am trying to be more conscious of slut-shaming, consent, and all the other little sexual tidbits that crop up in books, I tend to forget about them in eroticas sometimes...is it suspension of disbelief?  I don't know.  So I guess what I'm trying to say is that while reading other critical reviews, I could see some of the points that they were making, but they hadn't bothered me while reading, and so I'm going to maintain my rating, b/c it's how I felt and I'm reviewing my personal experience.  But if you are sensitive to these issues, then you might want to read some other reviews to help you make a better decision.  And hopefully you won't judge me too much.

Anyways, I do want to say that I did enjoy how the football game against the Rough Riders went at the end there.  I was proud of all the boys for growing and learning and eventually helping each other to do the right thing in such a hard situation.

So yeah.  There you go.  I enjoyed the book.  *shrugs*  I guess I just don't think as hard as other readers, especially when it comes to eroticas.  And here I was excited that we got so much diversity in this story.  Whatcha gonna do?  Learn and grow I suppose.

Was a good book and I enjoyed it however felt like it needed something more.

"You couldn't have room for love when bitterness filled your heart."

Misconduct was my first read by author Samantha Kane. I was intrigued by the synopsis, and the cover, and decided to give it a try. I really enjoyed the author's writing style. The story pulled me in and I found myself drawn to the characters. I can't resist a broken character, and this story has two. It's always inspiring to read about situations where life kicks you in the ass and you find your way back to happiness in spite of it.

Carmina is struggling to work her way back to health and happiness after a traumatic experience in Afghanistan. She's finally feeling more comfortable with her progress and decides to venture outside again. She'd been closing herself off, trying to heal and feel comfortable talking again. Nobody knows about her secret fantasies featuring a couple of the players on her best friend's football team. She sees them when she goes to the stadium to see her friend, but she tends to keep quiet. Not wanting to risk getting tongue tied in front of them. But she can't help drooling over them.

Tom noticed Carmina immediately. She's got everything that he finds attractive in a woman, and he wants to get to know her. But he can tell she's shy. And, he doesn't want to push since she's like his team mate's sister. She and Sam were in Afghanistan together and they have a special connection that makes him very protective of her. He might not have ever reached out to her if he hadn't seen her heading for another man on the team. Nope, if she was ready for that, then it should be him. His jealousy surprised him because he had been playing both sides of the field and had never felt a desire for more than fun. Well, at least not that he admitted to. There was someone he had feelings for, but that was a dead end. At least he thought so. Until he saw that Danny was interested in Carmina too. Tom and Danny were best friends and roommates. When they realized they were both interested in Carmina, things got interesting. Would they both fight for her, or would they both let her go? Was there a way for them all to get what they wanted?

Danny is running from his past. He's got anger issues and has no interest in a relationship with anyone. Tom is his best friend and he doesn't want to do anything to risk that. If he had ever thought of him in a sexual way, he doesn't admit it to himself or anyone else. And when he thinks of Carmina, he wants her. But he knows that he's not relationship material. He encourages Tom to pursue her. Again, he denies what he wants. He wants both of them.

I read Misconduct as a standalone, but I don't feel like it detracted from my enjoyment of the story. I did meet lots of other characters and team members that I'm sure had very interesting stories too. I wouldn't mind going back to read those to get some further detail about how they ended up where they are now. I'm not sure if this is the final book in the series or not, but if not, I'd for sure be up for more. The line forms here...

I think this may be my favorite of the Rebels series.
Technically, this is a stand alone, but a lot of the character development takes place in the books that come before. If you are new to the Rebels books, this is an issue you should consider before diving in.

Like the previous books in the series, Ms Kane packs Misconduct with plenty of racy sexy time, but it's not the core issue that it has been previously. The budding Tom-Danny-Carmina relationship definitely has more of an emotional component than we've seen in the series before.

If you have been following the series from the beginning, you will get to see early friends make an appearance as this book seems to encompass at least a portion of all the couples we've met to date.

This also touches on the difficulties that returning veterans can face, this is handled in a way that shows Carmina's strength, but also the vulnerability of her character.

This is a must read for Rebels fans!

Misconduct is book four in the Birmingham Rebels saga by Samantha Kane.  I have read this series from the beginning and loved every book! These guys are a wild bunch of football madness and their sexcapades are just as crazy! 

Danny was first introduced in book one as Coach Marion's best friends. Deep scars run from something that happened in his youth. Now he is rooming with Tom, who's also a fellow Rebel football player, and best friend. He knows Tom would like more than friendship but he keeps his guard up. Plus he's sweet on Carmina, but he chooses to leave that alone too. Carmina has her own problems to conquer and she doesn't need to deal with his baggage as well as her own.

Carmina suffered a head injury while serving in Afghanistan.  She moved to Birmingham to be close to her best friend, Sam, who served with her and plays ball for the Rebels. Though no real physical wounds to see, she suffers from PTSD, gets overwhelmed easily, and frequently mixes up her words.  She noticed Danny and Tom and she sees an attraction.  Can she really be attracted to both men? 

Tom is bisexual and is having a bit of a hard time.  He really just wants to settle down in a relationship.  He's fallen for Danny, but doesn't broach the subject with him. He's also drawn to Carmina, He's also seen Danny looking at her too?  Maybe he could somehow bring them all together??
 
I really liked Tom.  Both Danny and Carmina have some serious issues to work through.  It seems Tom was the one that could help heal them.  He truly cares for them and just somehow is the right one there to help. He's a super guy, and seems to be very patient too.

This book is one that is much more in depth than others in terms of working through tough issues. They are real and palatable.  I felt so bad that these two had endured the kinds of pain they did. Then they are still carrying around their version of it ever since. Plus we get the pressure of playing football and some drama that could have serious impact on what they have started.

Above all, Tom ended up being the beacon that both Danny and Carmina needs to move on.  They needed to confront their guilt and anger and allow themselves to actually live. Tom guides them through the fog.  Plus the threesomes are sizzling!!  Talk about melt your kindle! Woo hoo!  

Have fun with this one! Let's see which Rebel Samantha Kane writes about next!!

4 Stars/4 Flames

This book was gifted to me for an honest review.  The ratings and review are solely my opinions.

I am so in love with this book. This is the first I have read of this author but it will not be the last. She draws you into these characters lives with heartfelt emotion and hot loving. I wanted Tom and Danny. I fell in love with Carmina. The were just so....HOT!!

Finally Tom and Danny! I've been waiting for their stories since the first book in this series, and all I can say is I was not disappointed. I really like the development of their characters over the series, and love the addition of Carmina. All three had issues to overcome, and coming together was what helped. The erotic scenes were hot as ever by the author, but what I really loved were the characters and the story.

I hadn't read any books previously in this series, so I was lost on some characters but overall it was a really cute book. I felt for Carmina and I wasn't sure about which way her relationships were gonna go at first. Everyone seemed a little immature on some things, but she did have a lot of crap to work through for sure. I loved Danny and how he was so standoffish in his own way, but how he loves to lose control. Tom was adorable and I really enjoyed his character as well, but I felt at first he was a bit to young in mannerisms, but he grew up quick lmao. Really good book.

Holy hot players! This book covers a football star Tom Kelly. He has no limit to what he wants and doesn't let anything stop him from getting it. Including Carmina and Danny.

Carmina is all sorts of problems going on since she came back from her tour in Afghanistan she is struggling with her life. She went through some horrid things and believes that she will never be able to move past it. Enter Tom and Danny. They not only makes her feel wanted, but desired and it sparks something inside all of them.

The story is scorching and the scenes between the three of them melt the pages. There were times that I had to stop reading because I was in public and was starting to fan myself.

I liked the dynamic of the trio. You can tell that each of them bring something to the table that the other parts need. I liked the back and forth between the three of them. At times it made you laugh, others want to cry, but overall make you fall in love with them with each page.

The story is a quick read that focuses on the three some and their struggles to make a relationship out of it. Of course there are points of turmoil because emotions and pride get involved. The story does have a HEA and there is no cliffhangers so you don't have to worry about that.

Tom and Danny play for the Birmingham Rebels Football Team and have been best friends since Tom joined the team. Tom would like something more with Danny, but Danny doesn't want that lifestyle ... or does he? Carmina came back from Afghanistan with a traumatic brain injury and has come to Birmingham to heal and be close to Sam (who was in the same explosion in Afghanistan) who is also on the Birmingham Rebels Team. Both Tom and Danny are attracted to Carmina and she is attracted to both of them. Will Danny give in to his feelings towards Tom? Can they make this MMF relationship work?

Although this is quite a steamy book and those scenes are very hot ... the storyline kind of fell flat for me.

I received an ARC copy courtesy of Random House - Loveswept through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I have read books in this series on and off randomly.  I can't put my finger on why I haven't persisted and read every book in the series.
The Birmingham Rebels is a struggling football team which has had a fabulous season with the injection of some new players and coaching staff.  While they've flourished on the field they have also flourished off the field as many of the players have found themselves in controversial three way relationships that are hitting the headlines. With this latest addition the author is continuing to stir controversy with her latest threesome.Carmina has moved to Birmingham to get away from her over protective family and to be close to Birmingham Rebels line backer Sam Taylor,  the only other survivor from her unit when their transport got blown up by an IED.  As she struggles to regain her speech and find her new normal  where amongst other things she wants to feel like a red blooded woman.  She's attracted to Tom Kelly and Danny Smith who are players on and off the field especially Tom but are willing to offer her only friendship. Can she get over her shyness and ask for what she wants.
Tom has been attracted to Carmina and while he plows the field he reserves a special spot for her. When he senses that she's ready to progress beyond friendship he's more than willing but he wants to have his room mate and fellow team mate Danny Smith to come along for the ride.  Tom has memories of one unforgettable night of group sex when he discovered that he was bi-sexual and also intensely attracted to Danny.
Danny has a lot of baggage and bitterness. As a college athlete he found his friend the coaches daughter gang raped by members of his team. Forced to remain silent by the coach he's carried the guilt of that night into his pro-football career and relationships. While he's attracted to both Carmina and Tom he's not ready to acknowledge either his bi-sexuality or his submissive needs.  Can Carmina and Tom wear him down or will he end up walking away from them and also lose a beautiful friendship in the bargain.
Tom, Carmina and Danny's story plays out interspersed between football games and the pivotal football game where the ring leader of the gang rape is on the opposing side to the final game of the season for the Birmingham Rebels.   The story is in turns gritty and emotional, sweet and sexy and a very enjoyable read.

OMG OMG OMG I have loved this series. I hope there are more books to come. The author brings you into the story and you can relate to all the characters. I love having support characters from previous books still so actively involved in each story

NOPE! DNFing at 27%. Not even 1/3 in and I have enough "fuck no!" reactions to comments and thoughts in this one that I'm seeing red.


The start of Misconduct sounded like it could be good. Heroine was injured during her tour in Afghanistan and in the 3 years since then, she has not been able to orgasm (alone – she hasn’t had sex since the attack). She’s in her room, trying, once again, to masturbate to orgasm. I’m here for the very real struggle many have of trying to overcome the many layers of emotional and mental roadblocks between a person (usually a woman) and orgasm, so I had hopes for this. But not even 2% in and we get this piece of garbage line:



She’d read up on how to do this right, even watched some how-to videos. She’d felt like a total pervert watching women get themselves off, but she’d studied those videos like she was taking the masturbating SAT tomorrow.



REPEAT AFTER ME:
HER WATCHING OTHER WOMEN MASTURBATE DOES NOT MAKE HER A PERVERT. FFS.


This throwaway line came across as “Ew, I shouldn’t be watching women because I don’t swing that way!” and I am not here for this bullshit.


And even if, best case scenario, she just means watching ANYONE masturbate makes her a pervert, I’m still not here for this bullshit because that’s throwing the sex industry, porn in particular, under the bus.


But it’s only 2% in and surely it’s going to get better, so I keep going. Oh, how I wish I hadn’t because then we get some equally fucked up thoughts from the hero (or one of the heroes). This at the 3% mark, btw:



Fucking pussy was sweet and he still loved it, but fucking a guy in the ass was a forbidden thrill he didn’t think he’d ever get over.



NO NO NO NO NO. So pussy was sweet and fine but fucking A GUY in the ass – note: not just ANAL SEX IN GENERAL, BUT ANAL WITH A GUY – is “a forbidden thrill”? Fuck that shit. That’s code for “I don’t like that I like guys because ew, I shouldn’t” BS and again, I AM NOT HERE FOR THAT SHIT.


Apparently, I love to torture myself because again I raged on Twitter . . . and then kept going. At this point, I didn’t think it would get better, didn’t care about any of the characters, but I was . . . interested, I suppose, in how much worse it could possibly get.


Then we get to some covert (not really) slut shaming comment about her dress. That is, her modest, perfectly innocent dress that is NOT slutty and oh, what a relief that is! NO NO NO NO



The dress wasn’t cheap looking or slutty. It was high-class, a deep burgundy-red color, sleeveless, with a round neck that didn’t show anything below her collarbones. And it came to the middle of her thighs, so not too short.



CAN. WE. STOP. WITH. THIS. SHIT? I don’t care if she was wearing a dress that barely covered her vagina – it’s still not okay to call the outfit OR the person slutty because of it.


Again, I kept going. I was truly just rage-reading and tweeting at this point.


We then get this oh-so-casual mention in the middle of her kissing the hero:



She’d never done that [slow, playful kisses, etc.] with a guy. They were all so intense when it came to sex, like they wanted to get it done before a woman had a chance to think about it or change her mind.



So what you’re telling me is her previous partners were all rapists, or will be on a rapist list soon? Because no one should ever be trying to “get it done before a woman had a chance to think about it or change her mind”. Tell me, how did no one – author, editor, etc – see a problem with that statement?! And like I said, it’s even worse because that doozy of a fucked up line is just dropped into the middle of a scene and then it’s on to kissing and screwing.


NO NO NO NO


And the sex . . . Oh hell, there were issues there, too. Like this, when the hero first sees her:



“Now that is what a woman’s pussy should look like.”



COMPARED TO WHAT? There’s no mention of anything “different” or “unusual” about her pussy, so what the hell is he even talking about and why does he think that her pussy looks more “right” than any other he’s seen? I’m both confused and pissed off by this line. And again, he says that, nothing more is expanded on or talked about, and then it’s right on to him eating her out in the next line.


But wait, remember how she can’t orgasm? Yeah, then there’s this:



She just needed a real dick inside her. Then she’d come.



BECAUSE OF COURSE, I FORGOT THE MAGICAL CURE TO ORGASM PROBLEMS IS A MAGICAL DICK.


SURPRISE! A few pages of thrusting, etc, later and she has to finally admit that his “magical dick” isn’t going to give her an orgasm that night, either.


REALLY? COLOR ME SHOCKED! IT’S ALMOST LIKE THE PROBLEM ISN’T TIED TO WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE A “REAL” [ugh ugh ugh] DICK IN YOUR VAGINA!


I somehow still managed to go another 2 chapters and I don’t have any damn clue how. Then I hit this scene and I was out. It was the final straw on a pile of shit:



“Exclusively?” Danny asked. “You going to give up the guys?”

Tom stopped halfway to the table with his plate in hand. “I didn’t think about that,” he said slowly. “She knows I like guys, too.” He sat down opposite Danny and began to eat.

“Knowing you like guys and letting you screw them while you’re supposed to be with her is another thing entirely,” Danny told him. “Be careful, man. You’re entering dangerous territory.”

Tom sat back with a disgruntled sigh and ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t want to give up guys or girls,” he said."



THAT IS NOT HOW BISEXUALITY WORKS AND THIS FUCKED UP IDEA THAT BI = CHEATER WHO CAN’T STICK TO ONE PERSON NEEDS TO DIE A FIERY DEATH.


Oh, and the two believe that the answer to this problem (of not being able to be exclusive) is to find a female partner who is “okay” with having a third (a guy – or maybe more than one guy, like a rotation?) in their relationship.


Can we stop with this idea that bisexuality AUTMATICALLY equals polyamory? Yes, some bi/pan (and other sexual identities, obviously) ARE also poly and want a poly relationship (be it committed, casual hookups, open, closed, etc etc etc). BUT BEING BI IS NOT THE SAME AS BEING POLY. Yet that’s how this is treated here.


How many times can I scream NOPE, do you think?


That was it. That was the last thing I could take. The fact that he’s already planning how he can’t be monogamous with her (or anyone) because he can’t give up the guys had me noping out so fast I got whiplash. Notice it’s phrased that way too – not that he couldn’t give up the women either if he tried dating a guy seriously, but that he can’t give up the guys. The forbidden thrill from earlier, remember? Fuck. That. Shit. Fuck it with an old, rusty spoon because I literally threw down my Kindle after that. [Luckily onto my bed, not against the wall.]


I don’t know if she ever orgasms. I don’t know how this menage works out – if it ends up being all three or just the two with some brief play with the third, if the other hero is actually attracted to men or just no-homo-let’s-share-a-woman – and I don’t give a single fuck. I’m not sticking around to find out any of that. They can stay in their shitty world where bi = compulsive cheater, anything less than a nun’s outfit is slutty and cheap, and a woman thinks that a real dick will cure her lack of orgasms.


The thing is, I read one previous M/M title from Kane (Cherry Bomb) and really loved that one. But now I’m squinting back at it and wondering if I missed some of these things in there, too. Because if an author thinks some of these things for one set of characters, it’s going to come up with others, too. I’m honestly not sure that I’ll be trying any more from Kane. This one pissed me off too much and left such a bad taste in my mouth that even if her other books were clear of any and all problems, I just wouldn’t trust her anymore.

I enjoy sports romance stories. I've enjoyed other stories from Samantha Kane. This one, However? Not my cup of tea. There's too much the author expects the reader to believe to stay invested in this story. A sports team where almost the entire team is bi? Not much plot, too much gratuitous sex (felt like just sex objects at times) with not enough emotional connection and too little respect for how the characters are struggling with their own issues as individuals? No, I just can't get into this one - but I will read Samantha Kane again - as I stated earlier, I've enjoyed other stories from her - just not this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Misconduct is another great story by Samantha Kane. Tom, Danny, and Carmina all have issues of their own. Tom is discovering what he likes, Carmina is working past her injury, and Danny has all this hate and revenge. When Tom and Carmina start to explore and help each other with some issues, things heat up pretty quickly. However in true Rebel fashion, it doesn't take long for Danny to realize there is more to what he wants, and the two of them is who he wants.

It was good and I really enjoyed it.